Best PC Games 2024: Must-Plays For Every Gamer

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In the fast paced world of PC games, 2024 has become an important year, with a massive selection of games for all types of gamers. From the depths of space to the heart of ancient cultures, the range and quality of games that are offered are unmatched.

The goal of this post is to show you the best PC games of 2024, so whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new player, you should be able to find something that interests and thrills you.

Table of Contents

The Current PC Gaming Landscape

The state of PC games in 2024 shows how creative and innovative the business is. As time goes on, developers keep pushing the limits of story, gameplay, and visual quality, giving players a wide range of worlds to experience.

We’ve seen a wide range of games this year, from action games that changed the game to RPGs that made us feel like we were really living the game to life-like models.

Criteria for Selecting the Best PC Games

We have selected the best PC games in 2024 based on various factors, including stunning graphics, innovative gameplay, captivating narratives, and their popularity among gamers. In addition, we have made sure to include a wide range of genres to cater to everyone’s interests and provide an enjoyable experience.

Importance of Diverse Genres in Gaming

The beauty of PC gaming lies in its vast genre diversity, allowing players to switch from high-octane action titles to peaceful simulation games with just a few clicks. This variety not only caters to different tastes but also encourages gamers to explore new experiences and challenges.

Best Action Games

1. Cyberpunk 2077

Best PC Games 2024: Must-Plays for Every Gamer — **Cyberpunk 2077**

Cyberpunk 2077 is this awesome action role-playing game where you get to play as V, a mercenary. You can totally customize V’s voice, face, hairstyle, body type, mods, background, and even what they wear. Plus, you get to tweak five cool attributes – Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical, and Cool – to match how you wanna play.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is all about that Wild West life, mixing action and adventure in a game you can play from either a first- or third-person perspective. Set in a massive open world that’s a fictional take on the United States back in 1899, this game has got both single-player and online multiplayer bits, with the multiplayer part known as Red Dead Online.

You’ll spend most of your time as Arthur Morgan, a dude in the Van der Linde gang, tackling missions to push the story forward. But wait, there’s a twist – in the epilogue, you switch to playing as John Marston, the main guy from the first Red Dead Redemption. When you’re not on a mission, you’re free to wander around and explore.

Feel like fighting? You’ve got options, from melee attacks to guns, bows and arrows, and even dynamite. Oh, and you can carry two weapons at once for double the trouble. Arthur can swim, but John? Not so much.

First-Person Shooters

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

So, in 2019, Infinity Ward and Activision dropped this first-person shooter called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It’s the sixteenth game in the Call of Duty lineup, but it’s like a fresh start for the Modern Warfare stories. They rolled it out on October 25, 2019, and you could play it on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.

The setting? Super realistic and modern. The story? It’s about this CIA officer and British SAS forces teaming up with rebels from this made-up place called Urzikstan.

They’re all about taking down the Russian Armed Forces who’ve barged in, and this terrorist group Al-Qatala that’s causing chaos. And amidst all this, they’re chasing after a stolen stash of chlorine gas.

2. Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2, launched in 2022 by Blizzard Entertainment, is the cool sequel to the original Overwatch from 2016. It’s all about player-versus-player (PvP) action this time, though they initially thought about adding some cooperative modes—that idea got ditched in 2023 to focus purely on PvP.

They’ve even changed the team sizes from six to five players, shaking up the gameplay, and have given some major characters a fresh new look.

You can play Overwatch 2 for free on pretty much any platform you have—Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S—and yes, it supports cross-platform play. The game first hit the scene in early access on October 4, 2022, but as of August 10, 2023, it’s officially out of early access and rolling into its sixth season.

Top Strategy Games of 2024

1. StarCraft II

have you heard about StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty? It’s this cool sci-fi real-time strategy game made by Blizzard Entertainment. It hit the shelves back in July 2010, available for both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It’s actually a follow up to the original StarCraft game from 1998 and its expansion pack, Brood War.

Since then, it’s got a couple of expansion packs of its own, making it the start of the whole StarCraft II saga. And guess what? It’s been free-to-play since November 2017.

So, in the game, you’ve got these three factions: the Terrans (that’s us humans), the Zerg (think of them as a super-species that absorbs other life forms), and the Protoss (super advanced with some serious psychic powers).

Wings of Liberty mainly focuses on the Terran campaign, but the expansions, Heart of the Swarm, and Legacy of the Void dive into the Zerg and Protoss stories.

The story picks up four years after Brood War, following Jim Raynor as he rallies an insurgent group against the Terran Dominion. It’s packed with both new faces and some you’ll recognize from the first game, along with locations that’ll feel like coming home for the original StarCraft fans.

2. Age of Empires IV

Hey, did you hear about Age of Empires IV? It’s this cool real-time strategy game made by Relic Entertainment, with a little help from World’s Edge. Xbox Game Studios published it.

It’s the latest in the Age of Empires series, but get this, it’s the first one not made by Ensemble Studios. Fans got their hands on it on October 28, 2021, for Windows, and Xbox players had to wait until August 22, 2023, to play it on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

You can choose from 16 different civilizations to play with. If you grab the Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, you get ten right off the bat, and the Sultans Ascend expansion throws in another six, including four “variant civilizations” that mix things up with changes to others we’ve seen before.

Initially, the game launched with just eight civilizations. But then, on October 25, 2022, a year after it first came out, they added the Ottomans and Malians for free. How cool is that?

Turn-Based Strategy Games

1. Civilization VI

Civilization VI is all about building your own empire from the ground up. Imagine starting off with just a small tribe and then taking on the world, competing against both computer AI and maybe some friends to see who can dominate the globe through different eras.

You’ve got a bunch of ways to win – whether it’s through exploring, expanding, exploiting resources, or just going to war and conquering everyone else.

You pick a civilization you vibe with and lead them through the ages, building up your tech, culture, and government from ancient times all the way to the near future. You’ll be founding cities, setting up mines, farms, and all sorts of stuff to grow your empire, while also exploring a world that’s different every time you play.

And it’s not just about building; you’ll run into other civilizations and barbarians, trade with them, make peace, or sometimes, you know, declare war and flex your military muscles. The standard game throws in eighteen different civilizations and nineteen leaders to choose from, so there’s plenty of replay value.

2. XCOM 2

XCOM 2, released in 2016, is all about turn-based tactics and it’s a blast. Developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K, it’s the follow-up to the 2012 series reboot, XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Fast forward 20 years after Enemy Unknown, and here we are with XCOM not exactly winning the war against aliens.

Instead, they’re the underdogs, fighting back against an Earth that’s been taken over by aliens and their not-so-friendly new government.

The game’s super engaging, splitting your time between nail-biting turn-based battles, where you lead a squad of soldiers, and strategic planning as you manage the Avenger, your mobile HQ and last hope, which just so happens to be an alien ship.

Leading Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is this epic action role-playing game where you get to be Geralt of Rivia, a badass monster slayer known as a Witcher. Picture this: Geralt walking, running, rolling, dodging, and for the first time ever, jumping, climbing, and swimming. He’s armed with bombs, a crossbow, and two types of swords—one steel for humans and one silver for the more monstrous folks.

You can switch and sheathe swords anytime, choosing between quick light attacks or the more powerful heavy hits. Defend yourself by blocking and countering enemy blows. Remember though, swords aren’t indestructible and will need some TLC to keep them in fighting shape.

Geralt’s not just about the sword life; he’s got magic up his sleeve with five magical signs: Aard, Axii, Igni, Yrden, and Quen. Each has its own cool effect, like blasting enemies away or setting them on fire, but they’ll drain your stamina.

You can boost Geralt’s magic with mutagens. Taking hits will cost you health, but you can patch yourself up with armor, meditation, food, or potions.

Oh, and there are times you’ll play as Ciri, Geralt’s adoptive daughter, who has this awesome ability to teleport over short distances. How cool is that?

2. Elden Ring

Elden Ring is an action role-playing game played from a third-person viewpoint. It has an open world called the Lands Between, which is made up of six main areas, such as Limgrave’s green fields and Caelid’s monster-filled wasteland.

A mount called Torrent is used to explore and move quickly. You can talk to non-playable characters (NPCs), demigod bosses, and a lot of monsters in the game.

Combat and Mechanics: At the beginning, players pick a character class that determines their skills, gear, and traits. Combat includes close and far strikes, dodging and stopping, and using magic to hurt and heal.

There are only a few spells that can be used with certain things. With “ashes of war,” weapons can be improved, giving them new skills. Along with stun and parrying enemies, sneak attacks and critical hits are important techniques.

Progression and Death: Checkpoints, also called “sites of grace,” let you change spells, improve your attributes, and move quickly. When a player dies, they respawn at the last site of grace they engaged with or at the close stakes of Marika.

You can get runes by killing enemies. You can use them to improve your character, but you lose them when you die and have to get them back or risk losing them forever.

Crafting and Summoning: To craft, you need things like books with recipes that you can find around the world. Players can make things like poison darts and supplies that make them stronger. To call a spirit to help you in battle, you need Spirit Ashes and to be in certain places.

Multiplayer: Elden Ring lets you play with other people or against them. Items and call signs are used by players to enter the worlds of other players. A “taunter’s tongue” tool makes invasions more likely and more common.

The game takes ideas from earlier Software games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro and combines them with adventure, strategic fighting, and complicated mechanics.

JRPGs

1. Final Fantasy XV

Final Fantasy XV is an open-world action RPG where players control the protagonist, Noctis Lucis Caelum, as he travels across Eos with his companions Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto.

Noctis is the only character players control directly, moving, jumping, sprinting, and performing actions like taking cover. The kingdom of Lucis can be explored on foot, by the party’s car “Regalia”, or on chocobos, birds from the series.

Both the Regalia and chocobos can be customized and chocobos can even help in battles if bonded enough with the characters. The Regalia can be driven manually or set to autopilot, and the party can fast-travel to known locations. The Regalia needs fuel from petrol stations.

In towns, the party can rest in inns, buy items and equipment with gil, and get quests from tipsters or other NPCs. Side quests come from NPCs in towns. During certain story parts, Noctis makes dialogue choices that affect NPC responses. The game offers two difficulty modes, switchable at any time.

2. Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 is a role-playing game where the player embodies Joker, a high school student navigating a year in modern-day Tokyo. It features a day-night cycle and weather systems that influence behavior, resembling a social simulation.

The game unfolds through scripted and random events as Joker goes to school, takes part-time jobs, enjoys leisure activities, or crafts battle items.

Activities in the real world enhance Joker’s social stats, unlocking more options and activities. He can also build relationships called “Confidants,” an updated version of Persona 3 and 4’s “Social Link” system, improving relationships with others, including possible romances, and unlocking combat abilities and bonuses like new equipment or increased experience points through higher Confidant ranks.

Best Simulation Games 2024

1. The Sims 4

The Sims 4, like its predecessors, is a social simulation game without a primary goal. Players are encouraged to make choices in a rich, interactive environment rather than chase objectives.

It centers on the lives of “Sims”, virtual people the player guides by managing their “Needs” and helping them achieve desires. While not required, players can pursue objective-based gameplay with Sims having lifelong aspirations, and “wants and fears” based on their experiences.

Top Adventure Games

1. Portal 2

“Portal 2” is a first-person puzzle game where players explore the Aperture Science Laboratory as Chell in single-player, as robots Atlas and P-Body in cooperative mode, or as a humanoid icon in community puzzles.

Characters can sustain limited damage before dying. The game includes modular test chambers and less defined behind-the-scenes areas.

Tutorials introduce movement and environment interactions, including cooperation in multiplayer. The core gameplay involves using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device to create portals on surfaces, allowing characters and objects to move or be propelled across distances.

3. Firewatch

Firewatch is an adventure game with a first-person view set in Wyoming in 1989. The player controls Henry, a fire lookout in Shoshone National Forest. Exploring the area, Henry finds clues about mysterious events, including his ransacked tower and a ghostly figure watching him.

Communication with his supervisor, Delilah, is through a walkie-talkie, offering dialogue choices that affect their relationship. The game unfolds by discovering new areas and objects, influenced by the player’s interactions and time of day. Items found can be stored in the inventory for later use.

Best Multiplayer Games

1. League of Legends

League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players control a unique character (“champion”) from an isometric view. As of 2023, it features over 160 champions.

In matches, champions level up by earning XP from enemy kills. Players buy items to boost their champion’s strength using gold, earned both passively and by defeating enemy minions, champions, or structures.

In the main game mode, Summoner’s Rift, items are purchased in a shop at the team’s base. Each match is standalone, with levels and items not carried over to the next.

2. Fortnite

Fortnite, developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, is an online video game and platform featuring six distinct game modes that share the same gameplay and engine. The modes are:

Fortnite Battle Royale: A free-to-play battle royale game where up to 100 players compete to be the last person standing.

Fortnite: Save the World: A cooperative tower defense-shooter and survival game for up to four players, who defend against zombie-like creatures using traps and fortifications.

Fortnite Creative: A sandbox mode where players can freely create worlds and battle arenas.

Lego Fortnite: An open-world survival game.

Rocket Racing: A racing game.

Fortnite Festival: A rhythm game.

3. Valheim

Valheim is an open-world survival game played from a third-person perspective where players, as fallen Vikings, must craft tools, build shelters, and combat enemies to survive.

The game features low-resolution stylized 3D graphics and an action-inspired combat system. It supports cooperative gameplay for up to ten players and includes optional PvP.

Players create their Viking character and generate a procedurally created world from a map seed. The world is divided into biomes like meadows, Black Forest, swamps, mountains, plains, oceans, Mistlands, Deep North, and Ashlands.

Each biome offers unique enemies, items, and bosses, affecting the survival difficulty. The game includes an in-game day and night cycle.

4. Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves is a first-person action-adventure game where players select their unique avatar. Set in a shared world, players encounter each other during their quests. Solo and duo players use a fast sloop.

At the same time, groups manage a larger brigantine or ship by taking on roles like steering, firing cannons, navigating, boarding enemy ships, and scouting from the crow’s nest. Players can customize and save their ship’s setup.

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